Air traffic surges 21% in June

New Delhi: The Indian aviation story is flying high. Last month saw 45.7 lakh domestic flyers, which was 21.4% higher than the 37.6 lakh people who took to the skies in June 2009. And, between January and June, 257.1 lakh people flew within the country, 22% higher than last year's figure of 211 lakh.
June saw low-cost carrier (LCC) IndiGo, which has been around for four years, flying neck-and-neck with the oldest domestic carrier Air India (domestic) or the erstwhile Indian Airlines.
With a fleet of 17 aircraft, IndiGo flew 7.37 lakh passengers, just 23,000 less than AI's (dom) 7.6 lakh. Given the scenario, the management of AI – the only airline without a domestic LCC – has to lure flyers with low fares or it runs the risk of being overtaken by new players on Indian routes.
There have been talks of AI launching budget domestic flights by extending operations of its international LCC – AI Express – on Indian routes. While that is yet to be implemented, the lean and mean young players are now flying ahead, said an industry insider.
Meanwhile, the ownership change at India's second largest LCC, SpiceJet, which is yet to have a new top management, has possibly taken a temporary toll on the airline. According to DGCA figures, it had the lowest on-time performance with 59.7% flights being on time. Jet Airways led the on-time performance pack with 86.8% flights on time.
16/07/10 Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jul 2010